Before - Legends The Path of Redemption (set 3000 years before TPM) updated 2/19

That was well done. the nightmare was very realistic.

 

Argh...nightmares... [face_shocked]

He's really going through it all over again ...very well captured JH.

I felt sorry for Talian...having to re-live those awful memories and feeling that perhaps in his mind...he could save them.



Great post...emotionally charged stuff! [face_shocked]

Excuse my blubbing.

 

Wonderful interpretation of his nightmares.

 

Thanks, all. Considering it took me almost a month to get this done, I'm mildly surprised anyone's still following the story.

 

I like it! Well written, very discriptive. You can feel the pain he is suffering. I hope you continue with this Jedi_Hood!

 

I will. Things have been a bit busy for me lately, so updates have been getting rare. But it will continue.

 

Here we go:

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Coruscant - the Jedi Temple - basement holding chambers

Suri Sunrider strode through the corridors of the Jedi Temple and entered a turbolift, en route to the holding chambers to escort Talian Voss before the Council. Trailing in her wake were two Jedi Knights, meant to assist her in escorting the prisoner. She felt that they were unnecessary, but knew the futility of arguing the poing with the Council, who clearly saw Talian Voss as dangerous.

Though she knew that such an escort was standard practice in these situations, and was there to ensure her safety as well, she vaguely wondered if the escort hadn't used it as a pretext for keeping an eye on her - as if she'd let Talian escape, or something like that.

She shrugged off the though - it was irrelevant to the situation at hand, since she had no intention of doing anything untrustworthy anyway. And this was not the time to make an issue of the Council's trust in her.

The lift smootly stopped, and the doors slid open. Suri and her two companions exited and moved off down the hallway. Suri stretched out with her feelings, trying to sense Talian's state of mind.

What she got - a jumble of emotions and feelings - suggested he was asleep. Asleep and dreaming. The sense she got from him, though confused, was vaguely happy. Evidently he had finally managed to escape from the horror of his present existence and find solace in a pleasant dream.

Poor Talian. I'm glad he's finally getting some rest. She smiled inwardly, giving voice to wishful thinking that was not exactly the hallmark of a stoic Jedi Master. I hope he's seeing his loved ones again, as they were when he was with them. I hope he can be happy again, if only for a little while.

She began to feel subtle changes in Talian's flow. His confusion increased, his joy subsided. Suri began to wonder about the change, but had no time to do anything else before it changed again - with the startling abruptness of a door slamming.

A wave of horror and despair washed over her like a tidal wave. Suri gasped and fell to her knees, momentarily overwhelmed by the flood. Even her two escorts, who did not have her level of sensitivity and were not focusing on Talian as she was, winced and paused. Noticing her distress, one of them, a Twi'lek female, bent over her.

"Master Sunrider? Are you all right?" She took her arm, attempting to help steady her.

Suri shook her head, trying to clear it and focus her mind. She centered herself, drawing on the Force, and was able to recover and regain her feet.

"Talian!" she gasped, and took off at a run, the other Knights close behind her.

"Master, do you have any idea what that was?" the other escort, the human female, asked. "Does it involve the prisoner?"

"No, I don't," Suri bit out. "And yes, it does. Summon a medical team to the prisoner's cell." He acknowledged her and began speaking calmly into his comlink.

"Should we alert the Council?" the Twi'lek escort asked.

"At this point, the Council knows as much as we do," Suri replied as they reached Talian's cell. "You two, wait here." Ignoring their surprised looks, she keyed in the entry code and lunged through the door as it opened, her lightsaber out and ready but unlit.

The sight that greeted her tore her heart apart.

Talian Voss was lying in the center of the cell, curled into a fetal position, tears running down his face. One hand stretched out before him, grasping at something unseen. Inarticulate noises, mixed with sobs, emanated from him.

Completely ignoring the Jedi escort and the now-arrived medical team clustering in the doorway, she dropped her lightsaber to the floor and dropped to her knees beside Talian. Putting her arms around his shoulders, she pulled him close, resting his head against her chest. She rocked him gently, comforting him, serving not as his Master, but as the mother that he had never known......

 

Brutally emotional!

 

That it is.

 

Slowly, the horror receded from his mind, the images fading. His tortured mind began to calm, and Talian could sense another presence, soothing his feelings helping him toward that calmness.

He opened his eyes. He was lying on the floor of his cell, and someone was holding him gently. He looked up, and saw Suri. He concerned face brightened as she met his gaze. He started to stumble to his feet; with an arm around his shoulders, she helped him up, led him to the bench, and lowered him onto it, seating herself beside him.

He started to say something, trying to explain, but she stopped him. "Not now, Talian." She beckoned the med team over, and they examined him quickly.

"He's okay, physically," the team leader pronounced to Suri a few minutes later. "He's a bit undernourished and overtired, but that's not surprising given what he's going through. Nothing that a little rest and good food can't fix."

"Thank you," Turi replied. The med leader nodded and left with his team. As they departed, the two Jedi entered and stood expectantly.

"Talian? Do you feel well enough to go before the Council?"

He took a deep breath and nodded. "I am."

The female Jedi spoke up. "If you are not, the Council should be amenable to a delay....."

"No." Talian's voice was firm. "Waiting won't help anything. I am as ready as I'll ever be."

Suri studied him for a moment. He was still pale, but seemed otherwise in good shape. Considering what he'd just gone through, she was amazed at how calm he was.

He thinks that the Council will have him executed, she thought. He thinks that this will put an end to his pain, and he is glad - that is why he is so calm. In many ways, it would be easier for him to die - but he cannot. For him, or for anyone else, to throw away his life would be a waste.

Talian got to his feet, somewhat unsteadily, but without help. He turned to Suri.

"I am ready to face the Council, Master."

"Then let us go." She turned and walked out of the room, Talian following, and the two Jedi bringing up the rear.

 

cool posts

Great paragraph..He thinks that the Council will have him executed, she thought. He thinks that this will put an end to his pain, and he is glad - that is why he is so calm. In many ways, it would be easier for him to die - but he cannot. For him, or for anyone else, to throw away his life would be a waste.

 

The fact that he would welcome death says a lot about what he must have suffered.

 

I'm glad you folks are getting into this.

 

Very emotional Jedi_Hood.

Suri, as the mother figure was especially touching.
And that connection between the two results in Suri's sudden collapse too... Very nicely written.

The fact that he prefered to die...it's really sad. He just wants it to end...but there is more in store for Talian Voss, isn't there.

I have never read about Suri's character before...great stuff Jedi_Hood.

Update around the corner?

 

....but there is more in store for Talian Voss, isn't there.

Oh, yes. Very much more.

Hopefully, I'll get an update in sometime this week.

 

Chapter 3 - Sentence

Coruscant - the Jedi Temple - the Jedi Council chambers

Nomaranech, head of the Jedi Council, watched from his seat as Suri Sunrider entered the chamber, followed closely by a pale and wan Talian Voss, flanked by two Jedi Knights.

The debate was over; Voss' fate had been decided. A single hour might have seemed a short time to decide a person's fate, but for Jedi, it was sufficient. Jedi were able to debate on more than just a physical level, thus easing the transfer and understanding of thoughts and ideas.

Nomaranech reflected that, initially, he had supported the death sentence for Talian Voss. Any threat to the Jedi Order had to be ruthlessly eliminated, lest it contaminate the whole. This was the way it had been done for many years - and open-minded as Jedi usually were, change was something that still came with difficulty.

Ultimately, the issue had boiled down to these two questions: was Talian Voss a danger to himself? Was he a danger to others?

Was Voss dangerous to himself? Certainly - but so was everyone else, especially a Jedi. All sentient beings must deal with actions and their consequences - some great, some small. When all was said and done, Voss himself was the only one who could answer that question.

Was Talian Voss a danger to others? Possibly....but oddly enough, the answer lay in Talian's recent vision (or nightmare). It was clear that Talian Voss was in emotional torment, not only from the loss of his family, but mostly over what he had done. He had dishonored their memories with his vile act, and he knew that they would never have respected or condoned those actions. From that, Nomaranech sensed that Voss fully understood the enormity of his mistake, and that in and of itself should serve as a deterrent to it's happening again. Talian Voss knew that he had killed out of anger, and that that killing would not bring back his loved ones, or make things right again.

The Elomin, as a race, are not very emotional beings - they were capable of emotion, certainly, but not to the extent that most other sentient species were. This trait had guided them toward the path of logic, analysis, and reason, the fundamental core of their civilization. Elomin were known as deep thinkers, placing thought before action - their favorite pursuit was physical calculus, using weights and a balanced table to perform a sort of "logical chess".

Nomaranech remembered how much he'd had to learn, during and after his training as a Jedi, how emotion played so heavy a role in the thoughts and actions of other species. He didn't pretend to completely understand it (one of the few things he would ever admit to not comprehending), but considering his background, he had a good grasp of how they worked, and how they fit in.

The one thing that finally swayed Nomaranech's decision was the respect for life that all Jedi shared. To take a life, when there was another alternative, was not right. Talian Voss had a lot on his conscience, but was killing him the answer? It would, in a way, end the problem - but not solve it.

Suri stopped in the middle of the circle formed by the chairs of the council. She bowed to Nomaranech and stepped aside, moving out of the circle. The two Jedi flanking Voss did likewise. Voss bowed as well, and stood before the Council, awaiting judgement.

"Talian Voss, the Council has summoned you before it to face sentence for the actions committed by you." Nomaranech's deep voice rolled through the chamber, seeming to fill it. "Before sentence is passed, do you have anything further to say to the Council?"

"No, Master." Though Talian was pale and drawn, he stood erect, with no hint of fear perceptible. "I am ready to accept the judgement of the Council."

"Very well." Nomaranech stood. "It is the decision of this Council that you be removed from this place, and exiled to the uninhabited world of Zaranaya, where you will remain until this Council sees fit to allow you to depart. Furthermore, the Council hereby strips you of the rank and standing o

 

I'm glad they are giving him the chance to get himself back together.

 

Good continuation. The Elomin were most interesting.

 

Thanks, guys.

A lot of what I wrote about the Elomin is speculation, since there really isn't a lot of info about them out there. But what I've read suggests that that's what they're like.

If anyone wants me to send you a PM to let you know when an update comes in, either post in here or PM me, and I'll send you a PM when the story is updated.

 

Wonderful! I love this! Keep it up!

 

I'm really sorry, folks - I've been meaning to update this for awhile now, but events have been conspiring against me. I know I've said this before, but I promise to write more by Sunday. Really, I swear!!

 

Finally, an update! My apologies (again) for keeping everyone waiting so long.

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Hyperspace - enroute to Zaranaya system

Suri Sunrider sat at the controls of her ship, Vigilance, a refitted and upgraded version of a scoutship formerly used by the Republic for deepspace exploration. With exceptional speed, range, and endurance, and enough shields and weaponry to get out of most troublesome situations, it was the perfect ship for a well-traveled Jedi Master.

Suri finished checking the systems for the umpteenth time - a habit that had been ingrained into her over the years of interstellar travel she had logged. Catching little problems early prevented big problems later - especially in deep space, where the chances of rescue were slim indeed.

She glanced at the hyperdrive controls and observed that they still had almost an hour until they were to arrive at the Zaranaya system. She stood and exited the control cabin to check on her passenger.

Thus far, the trip out had been quiet and uneventful. Talian seemed to be coping fairly well with the idea of being exiled, and he had not had any relapses like the one at the Jedi Temple - for which Suri was very thinkful. She cared very much for Talian, but the idea of spending several days alone with someone who was constantly lapsing into hysterics was an unnerving thought.

She paused outside the door of Talian's quarters, trying to get a read on his emotional state. He seemed relatively calm, although the jagged edge of guilt and heartache was constantly present. That, more than anything else, is what worries me, she thought. If he keeps giving in to the pain of his loss, he will never make it back to the light. His emotions will eventually destroy him.

Fortunately, she had one more thing she could try.

She opened the door and stepped into the room. Talian was seated cross-legged on his bunk, his back propped against the wall. He was apparently attempting to meditate - and to an observer who was not schooled in the Force, he would have appeared to be succeeding.

But Suri knew better, though she didn't let on.

"Talian?" His eyes opened and fixed on her. "We'll be arriving in about an hour."

He nodded but offered no reply.

"Do you have everything you need?"

He shrugged. " I think so." Then a smirk twisted the corner of his mouth - almost as if he was trying to remember how to smile. "Is it too much to hope that you'll drop me off somewhere warm?"

Suri grinned back at him. "Maybe." Good - his sense of humor seems to be coming back.

"Good." He leaned back. "Zaranaya doesn't seem too much different from Xyquine, according to the data you gave me. Lots of forests and hills. That'll be nice."

"You should be right at home, then." Suri crossed to the bunk and sat down next to Talian. He uncrossed his legs to give her more room. "Talian, there's a few things I'd like to talk to you about before we part."

Talian looked away from her, shifting uncomfortably. "If you think it's necessary...."

"Is there anything you need?"

"Yeah....a clue. Master, I don't have the least idea of what I should do."

"Nor do I, Talian. I can't help you very much - it is you who must find your own way back. But I will tell you this: strive for the Light, Talian. It is the only way for you to avoid the darkness. Strive for peace, for clarity, for calmness. Put aside your pain and your guilt, or you will not succeed."

Talian looked confused. "But how, Master? Believe me, I wish I could."

A sadness passed over Suri's face. "I can't tell you, Talian, for the simple reason that I don't know. Each of us is different, as is our connection to, and our relationship with, the Force. What might work for one person will not work for another. I can tell you where you need to go, but you must find your way there."

"Remember always, Talian, that the path of redemption lies through the Light side of the Force."

 

And now, a teaser: there is more to this conversation! The first part was through Suri's eyes, the second half will be through Talian's. Also upcoming: interesting personal info about Suri!

 

Up - next post sometime, eventually, I think.....

 

Finally! An update!

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Talian started at Suri for a long moment, his other emotions giving way to surprise at the first part of Suri's statement. Finally, he found his voice.

"You don't know?" The accusatory tone of his voice rocked Suri back. "You're a Jedi Master....how could you not know?"

Immediately, he regretted saying it. Suri couldn't be expected to know everything, Jedi Master or not. The Force was a giver of many gifts, but omniscience was not one of them. It was absurd and immature of him to expect her to have all the answers.

"I'm sorry, Suri." Talian hung his head. "That was uncalled-for." He raised his head and looked into her eyes. "I don't know why I'm being so demanding of you, after all you've done for me....."

Suri smiled. "Were I in your place, I would probably be asking the same thing." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's all right - I know this is difficult for you to understand. But trust the Force, and you'll come out all right."

"Master, I don't know if it will ever be all right. I've lost everything that matters to me - if you were a spouse or a parent, you'd understand."

Suri looked away uncomfortably. She stared at the wall for a minute, he lips pressed together, then turned back suddenly towards Talian. For a moment, he thought she was angry at him, but what she said next quickly revealed the reason for her discomfort.

"Talian....I am a parent."

Talain was abruptly conscious of the fact that his jaw was hanging around the level of his waist. He closed his mouth, then tried to say something. After a few moments, he actually managed to say something coherent.

"You?"

She nodded.

"But, Master......HOW? Jedi are forbidden to marry or have children."

"What you don't know, Talian - in fact, what most Jedi don't know - is that there are exceptions to that policy. The child-having one, anyway."

His blank look underscored his confusion.

Suri sighed. "Let me put it this way, Talian.....you know that my ancestors was Nomi Sunrider and her daughter Vima, the great Jedi of the Sith War?"

He nodded. "It's common knowledge."

"And you know that I am descended in direct lineage from them, right?"

"Yes - you told me that, while you were training me."

"And you also know that the Jedi ban on marraige goes back almost 500 years now?"

"Right."

"So then.....how exactly did my family's line continue?"

Talian came to another abrupt realization - namely, that he felt incredibly stupid for not realizing all this earlier. "Ummm....."

She grinned at him. "Don't feel too bad - most other Jedi haven't figured it out either. Basically, for certain Jedi who have a strong family lineage in the Force, the ban on procreation is lifted. And so, I have a daughter."